Tomorrow's Oprah

Oprah's show tomorrow kicks off October's Breast Cancer Awareness month. (I swear, if it wasn't for Halloween and our anniversary, I would hate Oct.-all that pink!) Christina Applegate will be on there talking about her recent diagnosis and bilateral mastectomies. A few of our Chicago area ladies were able to be in the audience and said it should be a good show. Melissa and Keiko were in the front row, not sure where Cara was, but she got a ride there in a huge pink (ugh!again?) limo. It is worth a look--so set those vcr/dvrs!!

Make sure you check out the last two posts also. Starting with the real Palin interview, followed by the SNL skit. I swear, she almost makes Bush look like a Mensa member--and that folks, is extremely scary!!

Hilarious!!!!

This is SNL's take on the Palin interview in my last post...

Are You Kidding Me???

Danica, Courtney and Me

The surgery went fine the other day. I am sore, and can't seem to sleep much, but other than that--good. I was not sick at all from the anesthesia!! That is a big thing! Thinking they got the cocktail right this time, but someone pointed out that maybe I am getting more used to it. I suppose that is possible too.
I am happy with the way things are looking now. This is what I was hoping for in the first place. She tightened the pocket that the implant is in which made a big difference! I have to be very careful to not lift the arms too high right now to keep from popping that open. She also took the scar off all the way across in an attempt to make the scars smaller. She didn't like how much they had stretched out.
I had an appt with her yesterday. John had called to see if I wanted him to come home and take me, I told him no. It was no big deal going up there, but I am sore now. Was trying to not take the Vicodin but had to last night, and will probably need another one this morning.

The bone marrow drive that was scheduled this weekend to try and find a match for Danica is still on. If you have the time, and inclination please think about getting tested. While it is too late for Danica, you may be able to help someone else. Here is the info again on that...

Bone Marrow Drive Reminder
In memory of Danica Martinez
Please register to be tested to become a donor:
Saturday September 27th 2008
11am to 4pm
2333 North Harlem
Chicago, IL 60707
There is an urgent need for minorities to join the registry.Remember testing is painless and free but donations are always welcome.
Please share this information with all your contacts
We can save a life!!!!

Courtney was wise beyond her years. This is from a post she had written. When she was 21.......before her recurrence...

Who am I? Not even I know anymore. I can tell you what I’m not. I’m not a college graduate. I’m not a wife. I’m not a mother. I’m underinsured and under paid. They say I’m not even a patient anymore. I certainly don’t feel like any type of survivor. I’m not bald any longer, wish that I was. Being bald certainly looked better than this mess that is on top of my head now. It was just three years ago that I left home. I’m not a kid, but I’ll admit I’m not an adult. Cancer taught me that. That I can experience menopause twice before I get any over the hill parties, but I haven’t paid enough taxes to receive SSI. Friends?!?….My peers are graduating college, living the best years of their lives, drinking, partying, discovering wonderful opportunities, with the world at their finger tips. They didn’t have to drop out of college to get chemo. Their boyfriends didn’t leave because he’s afraid they’ll die. Or their friends stopped coming over, calling because cancer is scary and now too close to home. No my peers are fine. My friends, however, are the girls who know what zofran is or more importantly how expensive. Those who were also told they were too young for all of this. But now it is those same doctors who say it’s gone. Congratulations! You can now completely restart your life with no blue print, no manual, and no safety net. I’m nothing, at least on paper. You don’t put 18 months of crying, hair loss, and puking on a resume. They say I should go back to school. To pursue a degree I may never use??? It’s gone!?! For now. But remember 20 year olds don’t get breast cancer. Which must mean 21 year olds don’t get reoccurrences? Yes that’s right I’m still scared. Everyday. Miss big, bad breast cancer survivor cries before every check up and is terrified over headaches. The doctors, therapists can tell women with BC how to explain it to their children, manage their careers, and still be intimate with their husbands. They can’t tell me whether Ill ever have children, recover from cancer well enough financially to have a career, or find time between appointments and hot flashes to meet a man who can deal with either. And further dare not discuss real young adult issues with the physician whom saved your life. A young cancer patient should never be as irresponsible as to deal with substance or alcohol abuse, premarital sex, STD’s, or quality of life vs. meds and tests issues. I am a young breast cancer survivor. I am lost, scared, and not quite ready to face the civilian world I am being forced back into.

I also wanted to add this, Tracey had this on her MySpace Bulletin;

IMPORTANT!!! This weekend...

My friend Courtney died after battling stage IV breast cancer on Sept. 15, 2008 at age 23, I was with her. If you can make it please come and support an amazing cause in honor of my amazing friend who died far too young...Thanks
We're kicking off our benefit to remember Courtney and all those that have battled Breast Cancer!
We will have pink cancer awareness bracelets for sale and all the proceeds will go towards the benefit!
We will be donating ALL money made from BODY SHOTS for this benefit!
We [might] have pink Coyote t shirts for sale and ALL money made from their sales will be donated for this benefit!
Any cash donations from our customers, employees, friends, or family will be included!Remember that there is no such thing as too little or too much when donating for a cause as great as this! Hell, if you give us $1 we will appreciate it!
So come on down and bring them $$ bills, ya'll!
If you would like to participate but cannot attend, please send an official bank check (not a personal check) or money order made out to Young Survivors Coalition to:
Coyote Ugly Saloon
316 W Erie Ave
Chicago, IL.60654
Thanks everyone!

If you are out and about this weekend, stop by there!!!

Well, if this seems a bit like rambling, I apologize. I have not gotten much sleep the last couple of days (could have to do with sleeping in the recliner! I can't get comfy anywhere else though). So, I am off to take a nap. 2-3 hours would be wonderful right now!! Then I should still be able to sleep tonight.

This won't be a long post. Just wanted to let everyone know that I am home from my revision surgery and am doing fine. I actually feel pretty good aside from my left side hurting a bit and being tired. Seems like we got that anesthesia thing down finally

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers!!

Courtney 6/6/1985-9/15/2008

This is one of my favorite pictures of Courtney, even if I don't know the story behind it.

This is Courtney about a month before she was diagnosed-3 years ago today.

Courtney passed last night around 12:30. Tracey was able to be with her which is what she (Courtney) would have wanted.

She is proof that this damn disease doesn't care how old you are. She should have not had to deal with this at her age. But she did so with courage and "fought like a girl".

May you be at peace now. I will miss you Courtney. Til we meet again......

In Honor of Courtney

This is the default pic that Courtney has on her myspace page. In honor of her and the struggle she is going through, I have changed the layout of this page.

Courtney is close to her end. She is such a fighter, and not giving up. I can't begin to tell you how this is breaking my heart. The hospital chaplain was in while I was in there the other day. I was hoping that Courtney would then realize that it was okay to move on from this life. She has decided that she isn't ready yet.

Courtney is the first YSCer to pass from this damned disease that I had met in person. She is such a spunky gal. This all just seems so unfair, and unjust. She is only 23. Hell, she was born the year I graduated High School. There are so many things she never got to do, as well as so many people that never had the pleasure of meeting her.

I could go on, but I won't. Just please keep Court in your thoughts and prayers as she gets ready to pass from this world. Please pray for her to find that peace she so deserves.

Created by Lyla from YSC

No explanation needed. Click on image for bigger pic.

What the Hell!!

I feel like typing a whole slew of cuss words here. Blogger may delete me if I do that though. So I won't, but know that I am thinking them!!

Danica is gone. Leaving those three lovely babies behind. She KNEW she would be next. None of us wanted to believe her. DAMN! She was moved to the cardiac unit a couple of days ago and went into cardiac arrest this morning.

Enough for now. Just imagine every cuss word there is being streamed right now. Even if it is only in my head--the girls are home.

Gotta go